Freelancing – Live Life with Passion.

What is freelancing? How do I benefit from freelancing? How do I make a success of freelancing? Is freelancing risky? Questions and more questions… These are all good questions to ask when

considering whether to freelance or not. This article attempts to answer these questions. In short, a freelancer is a person who is self-employed and is not committed to one employer. Yes, freelancing can be risky. Only you can decide whether it is worth the risk or not.

How can Freelancing benefit you?

Freelancing can be tough. You don’t have a dependable monthly income. You work longer hours. You have to be self-disciplined. There many reasons why you shouldn’t give up a fixed job and freelance. However, I believe there are more advantages than disadvantages to freelancing. That being said, here are some benefits to freelancing:

• You are your own boss. You make the rules. You decide when you want to work and how much work to take on.
• You are able to spend more time with your family. You can structure your work around your family’s needs.
• You can create your own hours. If you work better at night, you can do so. It’s all up to you.
• You do not have to travel to work. You can just walk from your bedroom to your home office. You can even work in your pyjamas should you choose to.
• Family emergencies are easier to deal with.
• You are in greater control of your finances. You earn as much as you work.

Making a Success of Freelancing:

To freelance successfully, you need to structure your day as if you are working for an employer. Here are some simple tips to help you make a success of freelancing.

• The first tip for a successful freelancer is time management. If you are not able to manage your time efficiently, you will battle to meet deadlines.
• Set up a weekly timetable. Schedule in some free time to go out and have fun. You need to recharge your batteries.
• Keep your clients happy. Without clients, you will not be able to generate an income as a freelancer. Negotiate realistic deadlines and stick to them. Do not take on too much work at any one time.
• Communicate regularly with your clients. Keep them updated on your progress. This will build good working relationships and help you retain clients.
• Do not underestimate the power of social media. People talk. Happy clients will recommend your services on social media. Equally, unhappy clients will let everyone know why they are unhappy with your services.
• Write up a business plan and a mission statement It is time-consuming, but a well-written business plan is your roadmap to a successful business.

How can you earn money as a freelancer?

I believe this is the most important reason for working. We need money to look after ourselves and our family. As a successful freelancer, it is important to work out what your skills are and how you can use them in the marketplace. Here are some tips to help you:

• You need to advertise your business on social media and via a website.
• There are many websites that link freelancers with projects. Sign up with a couple of these websites and bid on projects. Stay focused. Don’t get frustrated when you don’t win bids; keep on bidding. You will succeed.
• Make sure you are paid your worth. Don’t undersell yourself or overprice yourself.

To conclude, making a success of freelancing is all about maintaining a healthy balance between work and relaxation.  Try it, you won’t be sorry.